The involvement of ROS overproduction and mitochondrial dysfunction in PBDE-47-induced apoptosis on Jurkat cells

2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-47), as one of the congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is widely present and threatens the human health in many aspects. This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of PBDE-47 on cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of Jurkat cells in vitro. The results showed that PBDE-47 significantly inhibited the viability of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner by alamar blue assay. Significant induction of apoptosis was detected in Jurkat cells at 25-100 μM by propidium iodide staining, accompanied with overproduction of ROS and downregulation of MMP. Furthermore, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a widely used ROS scavenger, significantly reduced the PBDE-47-induced apoptosis by decreasing ROS level and mediating recovery of the MMP. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that PBDE-47 could induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells and ROS and mitochondrial dysfunction play important roles in the apoptotic process.